Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1887-10-27

happy home, 1t will not distress me nor
interfere with my good appetite to
tell it
| "The event in question occurred over
twenty years ago, in the city of Chi
cago. / then lived near the corner of
Michigan avenue and Twelfth street,
and was engaged in the grain commits
sion business. 1 also owned fifth in
terest in foundry engaged in the
manufacture of light castings. 1
owned the home L lived in. MY wife
was the only daughter of one of the
earliest settlers in the city. We were
much devoted to each other. and, take
it all together, I was considered quite
prosperous for young man. little
girl was born to us, and for about five
years nothing occurred to mar our
happiness. My wife would meet me
every night with smile and a loving
caress. She was very atfectionate in
her disposition, and 1 am very thank
full to remember that 1 never gave
her q cross word or look while she
lived. In the meantime our little
Mabel was growing into a sweet child,
and was loved by all who came in con-
tact with her. Her gentle bearing, her
good temper and her generous nature
Gratis that one would not look for in
one of her tender years. won her hosts
of friends. Here is her picture as she
appeared then" And he handed me a
small photograph from an inner peck
ct. 1t was the picture of a very pretty,
intelligent-lookingc child. Her features
were regular, the face, being oval in
shape and the mouth rather small. The
eyes. with long lashes. were looking
upward; head of golden hair sur
mounted this remarkably beautiful
face. On the child's breast, suspended
by gold necklace, was handsome
diamond cross. The picture itself, in
point of artistic skill, was splendidly
executed.
'Well, my companion resumed, as
he carefully replaced the picture, .'time
went on, and as Mabel grew older twas
her custom to meet me near the house
on my return home from my office.
'At the end of one pleasant day in
September 1 closed my desk, and
glancing at my watch, saw, to my an
noyance, that was twenty or twenty
five minutes behind my usual going
home time. I hurriedly left, and,
hailing passing car, was soon walk
ing toward the house on Michigan
avenue. noticed that Mabel did not
meet me, and supposed she was in the
house wish her mother.
1.-The servant opened the door for
me, and Immediately inquired for Ma
bel. / brushed past her and went into
the dining-room, where my wife was
just sitting at the table to pour the
tea.
lone glance between us, and stimuli
taneously we asked: Where's Ma
belp'
She went to meet you fully twenty
minutes ago said my wife rapidly.
AS she arose, we both rushed to the
door. 1 seized my hat and ran to the
gate, looked up and down the street,
then opened the gate and walked hur-
riedly to group of children playing
near by.
Z" oh, Mr., Clark, let Mabel come
and play with u.s. cried one little girl.
- i don't know where Mabel is, re-
piled 1, vacantly.
The child had never been out of
sight of her mother or myself, and as
l did not find. her with the children,
my anxiety and fears increased. Sud-
denly l thought of the diamond cross.
which. by the way, you might have
noticed in the picture. This cross was
the gift of my own mother to Mabel in
her will. The child was very proud of
it, and we allowed her to wear it once
in awhile, but never out of her parents
sight. Close questioning developed
the fact that one of the servants had
placed this cross on Mabers neck that
afternoon. The cross and necklace
were worth over one thousand dollars.
Here, then, seemed to be a case of
robbery. followed by kidnapping.
hunted for Mabel up and down the
avenue, without success.
When I returned to the house. l
found my wife pale with anxiety. She,
too, had ransacked the house for our
little one with no better success. The
neighbors joined in the search but one
and all were unsuccessful.
Il afterwards went to the police sta
ton and gave description of our
lost darling, which was telegraph
over the city. Inc papers next uaJ
also contained an account of the mat
ter. as
al returned home about one o'clock
the next morning and found my wife
crying bitterly. with few kindly
disposed neigAbors around her offer
ing their sympathies. But, ah. why
dwell on tn e sleepless nights and days
of intense anxiety and suspense that
followed. A house to house search
was made in the city for Mabel. Cop
|. pies of the photograph which 1 have
now in my pocket were distributed